She Said Yes. Go Mail Order or Go Home.

Go mail-order or go home.  No more drunken skanks for Andy Party.   

After many, many years of living the single life in Aspen, New York, Detroit, San Diego and other American cities...Andrew Party has found his love match.  Lucia, from the Russian City of Omsk has agreed to become my wife, my life partner and hopefully the Mother of my children.  

Honestly, when I was younger...working my a$$ off on Wall Street, marriage never occurred to me. I have stood up at countless weddings for my friends...10 times an usher...never the groom. I always liked being single and ready to mingle.  There are quite a few crumpled up bridesmaids dresses in the corners of my past.   I came close a few times back in the 80's and 90's.   There was that super-needy red headed financier I dated in NYC.  She had divorce written all over her.   The pixie-cute blond piano teacher I dated for a while turned out to be crazier than me...which is not cool.  The hottie, trustafarian brunette that I chased for years is still on the market and she's been DV'd twice....so I guess that was the best decision I never made.  I'm sorry to say this...but the "nice Jewish girls" always bored me.

Honestly, being single for this long has been a gas.  But now,  I've grown weary of doing what I want to do 100% of the time and having zero dependents.  I've never had anyone calling me during the game to remind me to pick up milk, or asking me if her butt looks big in a particular outfit.  But I've been going home to an empty home (except for Carmelo) for too ,too long.  I'm  finally breaking out some of the cash I've been hoarding since I began picking up pop bottles for the return deposits in Southfield. 

My life is about to change.  Lucia and I are getting married.  It's a signed deal.  Lucia and I have been skyping for months and despite the language barrier and a sometimes crappy internet connection, we have developed a true bond.  She wants cash...and I want booty.   She's hitting American soil today...and will be in Aspen tomorrow.  Sure she's too young and too hot for me... but who cares, I'm going for it.

So don't be a hater.  Be happy for Lucia and I. We are not wasting any time.  If all goes according to our plans we'll have a little baby bouncing around Aspen right around New Year's.  

Meet Lucia...my Bride-to Be. She'll be in Aspen on Tuesday.

Smart Phone Myopia.

Last Summer I opined about the "Time Value of Time" for the Wharton Blog Network.  The article struck a chord with many job weary professionals.  Click 4: Time: The Ultimate Asset.  Less then one year later I've noticed another disturbing trend from my perch high on top of Aspen Mountain.  Smart Phone Myopia.

It's not a new trend...but it's clearly getting worse.  Smart phone myopia has almost completely replaced face to face interactions on the Aspen Gondola.  The gondola is my contact point to the real world.   

Skiing has always been a social sport.  Riding the lifts with friends and strangers is part of the equation. The gondola that runs top-to-bottom on Aspen Mountain (Ajax) seats six.  Aspen is"un-crowded by design"...or maybe its the $124 daily lift ticket price...but sometimes groups are merged.  This season we've had great ski conditions in Aspen so hopping into a packed gondola is not that unusual, especially when it's a POW day.

What used to be a pleasant 17 minute ride to the top... complete with friendly banter like "where you from?" or "what a day, huh?" has been replaced by each individual, almost as a reflex action, staring at their small screen.  Gotta check in. Gotta tweet.  Gotta get that memo out while riding the chair-lift.  I recently rode up with a family. Dad was checking the market, Mom was booking her massage, the kids were gaming, texting or instagraming all while jamming with their ear buds turned up to 11. They couldn't hear a thing, but not a word was spoken.  It cracks me up to see some of our older visitors texting at the speed of molasses and holding the phone an inch from their face to read their e-mail.   Battery life is reduced when it's freezing. Some people don't race for first tracks anymore...they rush to claim a spot at the charging station. 

I get it.  People are busy.  They have a lot going on.  Everyone is now carrying the entire knowledge of the free world in their pocket.  That's a lot of pressure and a lot of stress.  Aspen Skiing Company claims that their number one customer complaint is "poor cell service" on their mountains. I'm not sure if that's true, but they are apparently working diligently to get better coverage at 11,212 ft.

A bunch of type-A friends were out in Aspen for a "boys trip". At lunch one day, we played a game. Everybody put their "smarties" in the center of the table.  The first to reach for their device paid for lunch. The loser made it a full 30 seconds before responding to a ping.  "It might be important" he said as he flipped his black card on the table.

All I can say is... Oy Vey.

I guess it's a similar message to "The Time Value of Time".  Unplug a little. Look up from your phone once in a while. You might enjoy the view.

Colorado Bluebird at The Maroon Bells. Photo: AspenSpin.

Inside AspenSpin's SWAG BAG.

Everybody wants to get blown up virally on AspenSpin.com.  People offer to send us stuff all the time. Adult diapers, snuggies, furs etc,etc.  Every once in a while we get pitched on a product that sounds good.  The P.R. peeps seem to find AspenSpin. In the past two weeks we have received some really cool stuff from a variety of sources   A.Party is not that technical and sometimes we cant even figure out how to open the boxes, so we are a little behind on our product reviews.   We apologize for our tardiness but it's been pretty crazy skiing every day and partying every night.  We do love the free stuff...so listed below are the best of the best from AspenSpin's SWAG BAG.  *AspenSpin received promotional considerations for this post.

NOKIA LUMINA 1520:  Admittedly I am still trying to figure out how to use this sick, sick  state of the art smart phone.  With a large 6 inch touch screen and 1080 X 1920 pixel resolution...the Lumina 1520 is really a hand held computer.  I have not watched a TV show or movie yet...but I'm looking forward to giving that a go.  The camera is hot, hot , hot and comes with Carl Zeiss optics.  The Windows operating system is easy to use for most people.   If you see me staring at my screen, trying to figure out how to proceed...be nice...I'm in the remedial class.  I love the gnarly yellow too.  Check it out here: NOKIA LUMINA 1520

 

HP / VISTA QUEST ACTION CAM:  As I explained to the guys at HP/Vista Quest...A.Spin has not really embraced the video revolution.  A.Party may have invented the selfie...but video scares me.  It's not that easy to produce compelling video content...but i'm trying.  The HP/ Vista Quest is a sweet set-up.  It has full 1080p video capabilities and comes with a wireless wrist-watch remote control along with wi-fi and smart phone apps.  The camera has a beefy water-proof case and various mounting apparatus that make it a great action cam for skiing, ocean sports and basically anything action oriented that you can think of.  I'm working on capturing some interesting vids to post and share.  Get the specs here; HP/ VISTA QUEST

                  

PAX by PLOOM: The Pax by Ploom is the World's most pocketable premium loose-leaf vaporizer.  Pax is a finely designed product that allows you to vaporize your tobacco products anywhere...especially in Colorful Colorado.  Pax heats but never burns your product to create a tasty and satisfying vapor.  Since the product never actually burns...there is no smoke or second hand smoke...just vapor. So Vape out in public.  Pax employs a refined and compact design that easily fits in your pocket.   Ploom from San Francisco has figured out the perfect, easy-to-use way for you to enjoy your smokeables.  Learn more about Pax or buy your own; click PAX by PLOOM   

HEALTHY JOINTS for LIFE:  Healthy Joints for Life (in just 8 minutes) is a great book about joint health written by Richard Diana M.D. an orthopedic surgeon at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Diana's book breaks down how to take care of your body in simple terms. He explores joint inflammation, how to avoid it, as well as foods and supplements to help keep your joints healthy.  He provides a simple plan for exercise and stretching that are helping me to stay surgery free.  Today's my 97th ski day this season...so i can assure you that Dr. Diana's plan works.  Buy the book here:  Healthy Joints for Life.

Red Bull Double Pipe: Feel the Hype in Aspen.

Red Bull and Snowpark Technologies built the largest half pipe of all-time in Aspen for Red Bull's Double Pipe snowboarding contest.   With a first prize of  $25,000, cash money, on the line the riders boosted the double pipe like they meant it.   The #doublepipe included two separate pipes connected by a 4 foot wide transition spine as well as several other features like rails and walls.  Riders took their time in practice trying to figure out the best way to send it on the Doublepipe.  Check the vid from Red Bull posted below to see the stats and get a feel for the #doublepipe

Taylor Gold bested a stacked field to win the gold (and the $25K) followed by Chase Josey and Arthur Longo.  See the entire comp. on NBC on April 12 th.

The DoublePipe Podium: Photo: Courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool.Inside the DoublePipe. Photo: AspenSpin.

Revo Sunglasses: Love For Your Eyes.

Everybody knows that AspenSpin skis every day (and parties every night) with prescription glasses on.

Yeah, bro...I need to see it before I ski it. Getting your eyeballs dialed in with the proper equipment is probably the most crucial factor contributing to a great ski day. Even more important than skis and boots and poles.

When Revo Sunglasses originally hit the market in 1985, they were the most advanced sports sun glasses on Earth. Using proprietary technology developed by NASA, REVO revolutionized the world of eye-wear and sun protection for action sports participants.  The combination of Revo's high contrast polarized lens technology and their light, durable and stylish frames were unparalleled at the time.  I remember getting my first pair of Revo's back then...the iconic "water lenses".  The optical precision built into REVO SUNGLASSES changed my life.   I could see everything in sharper detail and as long as I kept my Revo's on a leash...I could do everything...all the sports that I loved without wearing contacts. I could see better...and I didn't even realize I still had my glasses on.

Fast forward to today. REVO is back.  After being purchased by Oakley and then bouncing around the labs of parent company Luxotica...the world's largest optical company...Revo is back as an independent brand. Revo has always been and continues to be on the forefront of the innovation in the industry. Revo is still known to produce the best sports sunglasses on the planet.  Their proprietary materials, design and manufacturing  process are still second to none. Innovation is a core value of Revo Sunglasses and they continue to be on the cutting edge.

How does AspenSpin hook-up with Revo?  The action sports world is very small.  I was trolling the SIA (Ski Industries of America) convention floor looking for swag...and who do I run into?  My old pal from NYC, Cliff D, Robinson, President of B. Robinson...a third generation, family owned and operated full service optical manufacturer.   B. Robinson formed in 1926, recently acquired Revo Sunglasses to add to their arsenal of optical brands.  Cliffie is a living testament to his family's reputation for honesty, integrity, dedication and devotion to one-to-one service.  Revo is in good hands with Cliff Robinson and B. Robinson.

So REVO is BACK.   I recently tried out my new Revos while hiking the Highland Bowl at Aspen Highlands. At 12,392 feet above sea level...you need equipment that you can count on.  I specifically need 100% of my visual acuity.  My Revo prescription shades did the trick.  The Revo combination of super light, durable frames and superior optics helped me to see and protected my eyes from the sun. It was a spectacularly clear and bluebird day in Aspen and my Revo's performed like the champions that they are. 

AspenSpin sends good luck to Cliff, B. Robinson and the entire Revo team.  Revo Sunglasses are currently available at Sunglass Hut in Aspen and at other fine optical stores around the world.

Click to see the REVO COLLECTION 

Reunited and it feels so good. Cliff D. Robinson, President of B. Robinson the new owner of Revo Sunglasses.Yeah...I take my eye wear seriously. Revo Sunglasses performed like champs at Aspen Highlands Bowl.The View from the top. Maroon Bells and Pyramid Peak. another spectaular Colorado Bluebird day.